351 underpowered?
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5
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351 underpowered?
I tow about once a month a trailer with two horses and had the same problem. I contacted Vortech on the web and found a local dealer through them who made the installation for $3600.00 and it makes a difference. My Bronco is the 351 with the trailer package and it handled the job without heating up uphills but the power was inadecuate.
With the supercharger the truck flies when not towing and the mpg did not suffer though premium gas is recommended always and I do not mind the extra expense.
I studied the different brands and although Vorteck is not the cheapest the warranty and quality fit makes up for the difference. Check it out by doing a search for supercharger or Vortech. Good Luck!
With the supercharger the truck flies when not towing and the mpg did not suffer though premium gas is recommended always and I do not mind the extra expense.
I studied the different brands and although Vorteck is not the cheapest the warranty and quality fit makes up for the difference. Check it out by doing a search for supercharger or Vortech. Good Luck!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: NJ
351 underpowered?
Where did you get 150hp from. I believe my 5.8 was rated at 215.I know the later model engines made more power but I didn't think it was that much difference.
You want to talk underpowered try hauling something with a Toyota
truck. Also my Bronco will run circles around my buddies Yukon with a 350 when towing or just driving around town.
Don't forget Bronco's are built on 1/2 ton chassis.They will need to be modified for real HD towing. Most 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have at least 4.10 gears in them.
Joe
94 Bronco XLT,5.8,E4OD,4" skyjacker lift,K&N FIPK,Custom SS Exhaust
You want to talk underpowered try hauling something with a Toyota
truck. Also my Bronco will run circles around my buddies Yukon with a 350 when towing or just driving around town.
Don't forget Bronco's are built on 1/2 ton chassis.They will need to be modified for real HD towing. Most 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have at least 4.10 gears in them.
Joe
94 Bronco XLT,5.8,E4OD,4" skyjacker lift,K&N FIPK,Custom SS Exhaust
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Bay City, MI
351 underpowered?
I have an 89 5.0 AOD and pulled a big u-haul trailer fully loaded with many heavy objects in overdrive to florida from michigan and back. Did not have any problems. Except in the hills did i have to downshift into drive. IMHO, the 302 is powerful enough to propel any bronco and trailer.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
351 underpowered?
Dyno results from a newer F-250 351W were posted on one of the boards at this site. Exhaust, filter, chip, etc. 172hp at the rear wheels.
Most pickups were designed to carry tools, materials and maybe tow a light trailer on an occasional basis. Truck options and models go up in GVW, engine torque and gearing as required. You spec a truck according to what it's going to do. SUVs are just that - Sport Utility Vehicles. And that says a bunch.
If your rig does what you want, that's all you need. Others, such as those who live/travel in mountainous areas or use their trucks for projects requiring more torque than that in a ricer sedan, have different requirements. A 385 series engine or modified 351W, and I'm not talking chips, exhaust or air filter, takes the SUV out of Bronco.
Most pickups were designed to carry tools, materials and maybe tow a light trailer on an occasional basis. Truck options and models go up in GVW, engine torque and gearing as required. You spec a truck according to what it's going to do. SUVs are just that - Sport Utility Vehicles. And that says a bunch.
If your rig does what you want, that's all you need. Others, such as those who live/travel in mountainous areas or use their trucks for projects requiring more torque than that in a ricer sedan, have different requirements. A 385 series engine or modified 351W, and I'm not talking chips, exhaust or air filter, takes the SUV out of Bronco.
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
underpowered
i have a nissan titan which is a smaller engine with a 5 speed auto trans. tons of power! i towed a 32' tt with it but the mileage dropped in the single digits while towing at about 70mph. anyone interested the titan crew cab is $21k and has 7000 miles in the memphis area call 901.213.9635 if interested. i just got a 93 bronco with the 5.8 and it has nowhere near the power, and the mileage is like 10mpg around town. i had a 92 pickup with the 6 cylinder that i bought new and it was supposed to have great torque but i hated the power on that engine. the v8 is better for towing. this bronco has over 220k miles so it is probably a little tired but i am looking for some way to get better mileage and power. do i need an msd ignition and new plugs? not ready to rebuild it yet. thanks for suggestions
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 38
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I can agree with you, When I had my 1990 XLT, It had good power with no load on it, but when I pulled a trailer with a hay bale in it, it was very underpowered.
I only had 31" tires on it, with a 355 diff.
it went to the shop to get looked at, and scanned, nothing showed up.
I tuned up the puppy, new wires, new cap and rotor, new plugs, cleaned the injectors, checked timining, checked compression, pretty much everything.
Still the same thing, it only had 130K on it.
When I owned my 85 XLT 351w HO, it had awsome pulling power, and then some to spare, and it had 250K on it, stock
So ya, its pretty weird about the 90
I only had 31" tires on it, with a 355 diff.
it went to the shop to get looked at, and scanned, nothing showed up.
I tuned up the puppy, new wires, new cap and rotor, new plugs, cleaned the injectors, checked timining, checked compression, pretty much everything.
Still the same thing, it only had 130K on it.
When I owned my 85 XLT 351w HO, it had awsome pulling power, and then some to spare, and it had 250K on it, stock
So ya, its pretty weird about the 90
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
when is everbody going to learn when it come's to a 5000 pound truck and your going to tow you need a 460.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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well i think a cam suited for towing would make a big difference, try an RV or a tow/haul cam from crane. also 4.10's are a nice add-on. i do some stuff with the scouts so i pull a 10,000lb trailer with my tiny 5.0 ( 88 bronco) it pulls just fine without od, ive got k&n, msd, and tru duals. as soon as the rpm's get too 2k or more it pulls like nuthing. my dad has an 02' chev 1500, it'll drive circles around the bronco, towing or not. i hope to remedy the problem with the 351w im about to put in. all i need is a computer, harness (MAF) and a tweecer. and it'll eat that chev for lunch 
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
Jbronco, I would take a look at the timing chain. With 98,000 miles it's due. A slack timing chain will really make a good engine very sluggish. Mark your crankshaft pully and rotate it back and forth to see how many degrees of play it has.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Kelso,WA
Well I must say as proud owner of a Fairly large Bronco with a 5.8L. Whenn I first bought it it was kind of a terd. But I adjusted the timing because it was very retarded. Someone had it set at about 6-8 degrees of initial. Boy almighty I set my timing between 10-12degrees like it is supposed to be and it litterally came out of its shell. Its no race car mind you but it is very impressive now when get down on the loud petal. Then I put a big lift and 40" hawgs. It once again neede a little help. I put a set of pace setter headers with 3" nascar style exhaust and Flow master street and strip muffler. Plus opened up the air box and put on a K&N airfilter on it with 5:14 gears and once again it runs very hard. 2yrs. ago after doing all of these things I ran through the QTR. mile and it ran in the mid 17's. This may not sound to impressive to some of you but keep in mind this motor is in an otherwise very mild state of tune. The single biggest improvement was the gears.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 1
From: Middleton, ID
Ditch the auto and get a standard j/k.
I've got a 5.0 (EFI) in one rig and the 4.9 (carb) in the other and they both do rather well towing, although I haven't towed much with the 4.9 yet.
The 150 (I know it ain't a bronco) has the 302, 14x,xxx miles, and the 4 spd, it pulls a enclosed 30' car trailer w/ an '87 Mustang in it without a problem, it'll do 65 but the trailer will start dancing. Its only mods are custom pipes and a K&N. Mind you this is with 32s and 3.55s
I've got a 5.0 (EFI) in one rig and the 4.9 (carb) in the other and they both do rather well towing, although I haven't towed much with the 4.9 yet.
The 150 (I know it ain't a bronco) has the 302, 14x,xxx miles, and the 4 spd, it pulls a enclosed 30' car trailer w/ an '87 Mustang in it without a problem, it'll do 65 but the trailer will start dancing. Its only mods are custom pipes and a K&N. Mind you this is with 32s and 3.55s
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